A Small Barrier-Free Summer Excursion

A Small Barrier-Free Summer Excursion to Wulai, A Big Stride The Crown Taxi, a well-known taxi company, owns the most barrier-free taxis in Taiwan. The company has long been engaged in barrier-free transportation services and actively participated in charitable activities. This event was made possible by the deputy general manager Xue Kai-wen, who helped TFRD initiate a new travel model of taking barrier-free taxis all the way between the patient's homes and destinations. 41 patients with rare diseases and their families, including 15 wheelchair users, participated in the outing. Early on the morning of July 5th, 15 drivers from the Crown Taxi respectively drove the patients along with their families from their home to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. All the parked cars lined up in a row. The scene was very spectacular. The drivers earnestly helped the patients get off the car. The wheelchairs emerged from the cars one after another and headed towards us vigorously, which greatly kept our spirits up in the early morning. After taking a group photo, we kicked off the Wulai Neidong tour right away. After we entered the Neidong Forest National Recreation Area, the guide encouraged us to reach out, touch the leaves of the trees, and smell the wild ginger flowers. Ayu, who almost has lost all of her motor abilities, successfully touched the leaves of Asian taro after unwavering tries to feel the texture of the natural world. The trails in the Neidong Park are so flat that both manual and electric wheelchairs could move freely. One can enjoy a relaxing moment here away from the hustle and bustle of the city. While we were watching the Neidong Waterfall at the end of the trail, the TFRD workers prepared ice lollies made in Guishan Power Plant, which surprised everyone and quenched our thirst just in time. Then we continued to go to the restaurant to enjoy the authentic aboriginal cuisine. During the meal, all the participants fervently talked and knew each other better. Ruth Chen, Executive Director of TFRD, presented every driver with a cloth mask on behalf of the foundation, hoping that they look after their health in daily working. In the afternoon, there was a sudden thunderstorm in the mountains. Considering the safety of everyone and the traffic jams down the mountain, we reluctantly said goodbye to the Old Street of Wulai at last. We look forward to coming again next time. The drivers took all of the patients home safely. This trip was appreciated by the patients because it was all accessible for them to travel without any worry. Executive Director Chen said, "unlike the tours organized by the TFRD in the past, this one is ‘barrier-free’ from the moment our patients left their homes. They don’t have to find a way by themselves to get to the assembly spot to take the large-scale rehabilitation tour bus like before. We are most appreciative of the drivers from the Crown Taxi for their help in sending our patients to and fro. We also hope that more drivers in Taiwan can help wheelchair users to go out easily and enjoy life happily." Translator: David Lee (Becker Muscular Dystrophy), Reviewer: Albert Kuo